Construction system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a construction system ( 1 ) comprising construction elements ( 2 ) which exhibit a number of transcurrent holes ( 8 ) distributed along the aforementioned elements, connecting pieces ( 3 ) and locking devices ( 4 ) interacting with them for the purpose of connecting construction elements to one another. The aforementioned connecting pieces ( 3 ) consist of at least two threaded ( 5 ) connecting uprights ( 6, 7 ) projecting from a common connecting frame ( 9 ) which exhibit a form corresponding to the holes ( 8 ) in the construction elements, and threaded ( 11 ) connecting hats are so arranged, when screwed onto the aforementioned connecting uprights, as to clamp assembled construction elements ( 2 ) securely to an abutment ( 12 ) on the connecting piece ( 3 ) in question.

The present invention relates to a construction system comprisingconstruction elements which exhibit a number of transcurrent holesdistributed along the aforementioned elements, connecting pieces andlocking devices interacting with them for the purpose of connectingconstruction elements to one another.

FR 1,174,756 A presents U-shaped fixing components (13) intended to bepassed through pairs of holes (10) before being clamped securely withtheir elongated base part (13 a) against the wall of a fixing plate (1,2).

GB 16 858 A dating from 1912 presents an angle screw and a holder (1, 2)situated at a certain distance from the inner end piece of the thread;and

GB 461 094 A and GB 2241997 A present angled and straight bolts for theconnection of different parts respectively in parallel with and at anangle to one another.

No mention is made, however, of the positioning and the nature of anabutment and the linking of the connecting frame between theaforementioned threaded connecting uprights for the purpose of achievingstrong construction elements which exhibit a varying function.

The principal object of the present invention is, in the first instance,to provide a simple and flexible construction system which is suitablefor use in the construction of objects of varying kinds, such as toys,toy tools, training items, scaffoldings and furniture, etc.

The aforementioned object is achieved by means of construction system inaccordance with the present invention, which is characterizedessentially in that the aforementioned connecting pieces consist of atleast two threaded connecting uprights projecting from a commonconnecting frame which exhibit a form corresponding to the holes in theconstruction elements, in that locking devices executed as threadedconnecting hats are so arranged, when screwed onto the aforementionedconnecting uprights, as to clamp assembled construction elementssecurely to an abutment on the connecting piece in question, and in thatthe connecting pieces are in the form of triangular connecting frameswith abutment surfaces and with connecting uprights extendingperpendicularly outwards from the respective abutment surface.

The invention is described below as a number of preferred illustrativeembodiments, in conjunction with which reference is made to accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of two connected construction elementswith an interjacent connecting piece;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded drawing prior to the connection of theconstituent parts;

FIG. 3 shows a sectioned view along the lines I—I, II—II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a procedural drawing for the connection of the parts to oneanother;

FIG. 5 shows an example of the application of the invention for theassembly of a toy car illustrated at an angle viewed from above;

FIG. 6 shows the aforementioned toy car viewed at an angle from below;

FIG. 7 shows the invention applied to the construction of a go-kartillustrated at an angle viewed from above;

FIG. 8 shows the go-kart viewed at an angle from below;

FIGS. 9 and 9A show an example of a connecting piece which permits theconnection of construction elements in three different directions;

FIGS. 10 and 10A show an example of a connecting piece which permits theconnection of construction elements at right angles in relation to oneanother;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a specially executed design of aconnecting piece;

FIGS. 12 and 12A show an example of a locking device viewed at an anglefrom above and at an angle from below;

A construction system 1 comprising a desired number of constructionelements 2, 2 ¹, 2 ², 2 ³, 2 ⁴, 2 ⁵ . . . and so on, which may be ofvarying form and may exhibit a number of transcurrent holes 8distributed along the aforementioned elements, a number of connectingpieces 3, 3 ¹, 3 ², 3 ³, and locking devices 4 interacting therewith,which are so arranged as to connect the aforementioned connectingelements to one another, have their connecting pieces 3-3 ³ arranged ina certain way. More specifically, the aforementioned connecting piecesconsist of at least two connecting uprights 6, 7 projecting from acommon connecting frame 9, which uprights exhibit external threads 5,see FIGS. 1-8 and 10, and exhibit a form corresponding to the holes 8 inthe construction elements. The locking devices, which are executed aslocking hats 4, which exhibit internal threads 11 matching the externalthreads 5 on the connecting uprights 6, 7, are so arranged, when screwedonto the aforementioned connecting uprights 6, 7, as to clampconstruction elements 2-2 ⁵ assembled into a desired form to an abutment12 on the connecting piece 3-3 ³ in question.

As illustrated in the drawings, the connecting pieces 3, which have twoconnecting uprights 6, 7, are formed by triangular connecting frames 9with or without extra reinforcements 17, e.g. in the form of externalgrooves, with curved abutment surfaces 12 and with connecting uprights6, 7, 19 extending perpendicularly outwards from the respective abutmentsurface 12.

The connecting pieces 3-3 ³ and the connecting hats 4 appropriatelyconsist of blow-moulded or injection-moulded pieces of plastic material,although they may also consist of some other material produced by someother previously disclosed moulding method.

The threads 5 on the connecting uprights 6, 7 and the internal threads11 in the connecting hats 4 extend for the entire length L, A of therespective connecting upright 6, 7 and connecting hat 4.

The external diameter D of the connecting uprights 6, 7 and the holediameter H of the holes 8 in the construction elements 2-2 ⁵ essentiallycorrespond to one another.

The aforementioned connecting uprights 6, 7 extend perpendicularlyand/or at an oblique or acute angle X from one another. FIGS. 9, 9A showhow three connecting uprights 6, 7, 10 depart from a common connectingpiece 3 ³, are perpendicular in relation to one another along X, Y and Zaxes, and are thus particularly suitable for connecting togethercomponents at corners, i.e. for use in corner joints.

Each of the aforementioned connecting hats 4 preferably exhibits its ownrecess 28 or other unevenness on its closing cover 13 at the rear end 4Aof the hat, corresponding to a rotating tool 14, for example ascrewdriver or a hexagon socket screw key, etc. It is possible in thisway effectively to tighten and, naturally, also to slacken theaforementioned hats 4. In order to provide pretension between the hats 4and the construction elements 2, the hats 4 may exhibit a flexibleperipheral edge 15 extending around the periphery of the hat at thefront 4B of the hat.

The aforementioned connecting holes 8 in the construction elements 2 aredistributed in a row 16 and at an angle C in relation to one another.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a connecting piece 3 ², in which an extraconnecting upright 19 is present on one extended abutment surface 12 ofthe connecting piece, whereby staying is achieved without the need tomake use of a number of connecting pieces.

Finally, the aforementioned FIG. 11 shows, among other things, how theends of the aforementioned connecting uprights 6, 7, 19 are closed bymeans of caps 20 in the form of solid walls, whereas FIGS. 10 and 10Ashow how the ends of the connecting pieces 6, 7 are open 22 into theirinner space 21.

The invention and its constituent parts have now been described andpresented in detail, and the function should already have beenappreciated. The principle of the connection is illustrated in FIG. 3,which also shows how clamping takes place by means of the hat 4 againstthe construction element 2, which in turn is securely clamped to theassociated abutment surface 12 of the connecting piece, as the hat 4 isrotated into place with its internal threads 11 on the external threads5 of the associated connecting upright 6, 7. The connecting upright 7illustrated in sequence I in FIG. 3 has its hat 4 only partly tightened,which can be appreciated from the fact that its brim-like peripheraledge 15 is not in contact with any great force with the subjacentconstruction element 2, whereas the connecting upright 6 illustrated insequence II in FIG. 3 and its supporting hat 4 is tightened to itsmaximum extent, which means that the aforementioned peripheral edge 15of the hat has sprung outwards, and that the hat is pressing against thesubjacent construction element 2. This can be appreciated from the factthat the threads have been utilized to a further extent in tighteningcase II than in tightening case I.

It can be seen from FIG. 4 how the various components must be assembledand screwed together in order to produce the intended object; see alsoFIGS. 5-8, where a completed toy car 23 and a go-kart 24 areillustrated. Wheels 25 have been attached in this case with the help oflong, rotating axles 26 and hats 4, and a handle 27 is capable ofattachment to upright supports 2 ⁶. Holes 8 in the construction elements2 . . . can be used in this case for the aforementioned attachment bypassing the axles 26, 27 through the holes 8.

The construction elements 2 . . . may be in the form of sheetsconsisting of fibrous material such as sheets of masonite, plywood orparticle board, or of metal, plastic or composite materials.

The locking devices 4 may be in the form of blow-moulded orinjection-moulded plastics, for example nylon.

The invention is not restricted to the illustrative embodimentsdescribed above and illustrated in the drawings, but may be variedwithin the scope of the Patent Claims without departing from the idea ofinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A construction system (1) comprising constructionelements (2, 2 ¹, 2 ², 2 ³, 2 ⁴, 2 ⁵) which exhibits a number oftranscurrent holes (8) distributed along the construction elements,connecting pieces (3, 3 ¹, 3 ², 3 ³) and locking devices (4),characterized in that the connecting pieces (3, 3 ¹, 3 ², 3 ³) consistof at least two threaded connecting uprights (6, 7) projecting from acommon connecting frame (9) which exhibit a form corresponding to theholes (8) in the construction elements, the locking devices are threaded(11) connecting hats (4), when the locking devices are screwed onto theconnecting uprights the connecting pieces clamp assembled constructionelements (2-2 ⁵) securely to an abutment (12) on the connecting piece(3-3 ³), the connecting pieces (3) are in the form of triangularconnecting frames (9) with abutment surfaces (12) and with connectinguprights (6, 7, 19) extending perpendicularly outwards from the abutmentsurface (12).
 2. Construction system in accordance with Patent claim 1,characterized in that the connecting pieces (3-3 ³) and the connectinghats (4) consist of blow-moulded pieces.
 3. Construction system inaccordance with claim 1, characterized in that the threads (5) on theconnecting uprights (6, 7) extend for an entire length (L) of theconnecting uprights.
 4. Construction system in accordance with claim 2,characterized in that an external diameter (D) of the connectinguprights (6, 7) and a hole diameter (H) of the holes (8) in theconstruction elements (2-2 ⁵) correspond to one another.
 5. Constructionsystem in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the connectinguprights (6, 7) extend at an angle (X) from one another.
 6. Constructionsystem in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the lockingdevices (4) exhibit a recess (28) corresponding to a rotating tool (14)on its closing cover (13) at a rear end (4A) of the locking device (4).7. Construction system in accordance with claim 2, characterized in thatthe locking devices (4) exhibit a flexible peripheral edge (15)extending around the periphery of the locking device at the front (4B)of the locking device.
 8. Construction system in accordance with claim1, characterized in that the connecting holes (8) in the constructionelements (2) are distributed in a row (16) and at an angle (C) inrelation to one another.
 9. Construction system in accordance with claim1, characterized in that the ends of the connecting uprights (6, 7) areone of closed (20) and open
 22. 10. Construction system in accordancewith claims 1, characterized in that the abutment surfaces (12) arecurved.
 11. Construction system in accordance with claim 1,characterized in that the abutment surfaces (12) are situated at theinner ends of the external threads (5).
 12. Construction system inaccordance with Patent claim 1, characterized in that the connectingpieces (3-3 ³) consist of injection-moulded pieces.
 13. Constructionsystem in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the threads (5)on the connecting uprights (6, 7) extend for an entire length (L) of theconnecting uprights.
 14. Construction system in accordance with claim 2,characterized in that an external diameter (D) of the connectinguprights (6, 7) and a hole diameter (H) of the holes (8) in theconstruction elements 2-2 ⁵ correspond to one another.
 15. Constructionsystem in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the connectinguprights (6, 7) extend at an angle (X) from one another. 16.Construction system in accordance with claim 2, characterized in thatthe locking devices (4) exhibit a recess (28) corresponding to arotating tool (14) on its closing cover (13) at a rear end (4A) of the(4).
 17. Construction system in accordance with claim 2, characterizedin that the locking devices (4) exhibit a flexible peripheral edge (15)extending around the periphery of the locking device at the front (4B)of the locking device.
 18. Construction system in accordance with claim2, characterized in that the connecting holes (8) in the constructionelements (2) are distributed in a row (16) and at an angle (C) inrelation to one another.
 19. Construction system in accordance withclaim 2, characterized in that the ends of the connecting uprights (6,7) are one of closed (20) and open (22).
 20. Construction system inaccordance with claim 2, characterized in that the abutment surfaces(12) are curved.